BUS EXPECTATIONS

The school district views transportation as part of the school day and the bus as an extension of the classroom. The bus  driver carries the responsibility of ensuring students a safe ride and is authorized to enforce rider rules, much as teachers enforce rules inside the classroom. The school district reserves the right to modify the following rules and consequences at  any time, and may use video cameras with audio on buses to assist with discipline issues. 

Students riding the buses are expected to know and follow these rules. Basically, parents are responsible for the behavior of  their child on the bus. If the child’s behavior is not acceptable, the privilege of riding the bus may be withdrawn and it will be  the responsibility of the parent to transport the child. 

SCHOOL BUS RIDER RULES

1. Sit in a designated seat if the driver has made such an assignment. Students shall take their designated seat each time  they enter the bus unless the driver has indicated otherwise. Students are expected to follow all instructions of the bus  drivers. 

2. Remain seated when the bus is in motion. Feet/knees may not be put on the seat in front of the student. 

3. Open windows only with the permission of the driver. Windows may be opened 3" only or to the second notch.  

4. Keep head, hands, arms inside the bus, and throw nothing from the window or within the bus.  

5. There is to be no scuffling, horseplay, fighting, or obscene language on the bus.  

6. Eating on the bus is prohibited as it is a safety factor. Littering is not permitted, and cleanliness must be maintained.  

• Teachers/coaches/advisors are to monitor this activity during co-curricular and extra-curricular trips. 

7. Keep aisles clear. Books or music instruments will not be allowed in the aisle. Avoid bringing articles on the bus which  cannot be held while seated three to a seat.  

8. Pets, animals, birds, glass, tools, large industrial projects, or sports equipment that could be used/or may cause harm to  others is prohibited on the bus.  

9. Yelling or excessively loud talking at any time which may distract the driver is inappropriate. State statutes require total  silence from all bus riders at a railroad crossing. Turning on the interior overhead lights is the signal for all students to  stop all talking immediately. 

10.  Students in grades 4K-12 may not be dropped off at any point other than the designated point unless the driver has a  parental permission slip and a bus pass that has been approved by the student's principal or teacher. The dispatcher must be notified  prior to the route, if possible and the dispatcher will inform the driver. A school official's signature must be on the slip.

11. Use of any laser device or laser activated device is prohibited on all district property, including the school bus. 

12. Students are to ride the bus that they have been assigned to ride. If a special occasion, such as a birthday party, necessitates riding a different bus, the dispatch office must be notified and permission granted prior to the day of the event  in order to prevent an overload.  

MAJOR RULE VIOLATIONS 

1. Smoking, vaping, chewing, or possession of tobacco / vape products is prohibited. 

2. Possession of prescription drugs not prescribed for the student, illegal drugs, related drug paraphernalia which includes  devices used to abuse inhalants and/or alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

3. Vandalizing or damaging bus property is prohibited and students who do so will be responsible for payment to cover the  cost of damages. 

4. Tampering with bus emergency equipment is prohibited. 

5. Possession of a firearm, knife, explosive, flammable material, or other object that may be considered dangerous or used  as a weapon is prohibited (some examples include: baseball bats, hammers, loppers or other gardening tools, etc.). 

6. Interfering with the safe operation and travel of the bus is prohibited. 

7. Physically assaulting or verbally threatening the well-being of another person is prohibited. 

8. Any act that seriously jeopardizes the safety of the student, passenger or the bus driver is prohibited.

SCHOOL BUS RIDER DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE 

1. The bus driver is asked to report any misconduct to the contractor, the contractor will fill out the discipline form and submit it to the principal for disciplinary action.  

2. Parents will be notified if misconduct continues. Bus riders may be denied the privilege of riding for persistent misconduct.  

3. The following procedure for disciplinary actions will be followed: 

   • The bus driver shall discuss any misbehavior with the rider and make every attempt to obtain corrected behavior from  the student. If this is not accomplished, the driver shall document the behavior then send it to the contractor, the contractor will fill out the discipline form and submit it to the principal for disciplinary action. The principal will meet with the student and attempt  to prevent further occurrences. After discussing the incident with the student, the principal may call the parents. 

   • If the student continues to violate bus rider rules, the third violation may result in one to three days suspension of  riding privileges, or other disciplinary measures. 

   • The fourth notice of misconduct may result in a suspension of riding privileges up to a period of three days. Notification  process will be through the Director of Transportation and the Principal. A letter will then be sent to the parents.  

   • Additional notices of misconduct may result in suspension of riding privileges up to seven days, or until a hearing is  held, to an automatic suspension for the remainder of the year.  

   • A major rule violation of safety measure such as tampering with vehicle controls, throwing items at or hitting the driver, or any other flagrant violation affecting the safety and/or physical health of students shall result in:

     • 1. 1. • A conference (telephone or personal) with the student, parent, contractor, director of transportation, and principal where an investigation is conducted  to determine if immediate suspension from the bus should occur that corresponds with the severity of the violation.

             • The Director of Transportation will contact the principal and contractor to inform them of the length of the suspension from the bus.

4.   Other major rule violations such as, but not limited to, use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs on the bus, the  possession of a weapon or 

       vandalism shall result in suspension and possibly expulsion, as directed by board policy.

5.   Discipline will also be documented in the student records. (bus expulsion)